The Sound of Words

I might care even more about words than the average writer. I don’t care as much about typographical errors. I try to wrestle errors down when I am able, but it’s the words and how they fit together that turn me on. . . . I like the way they look on the screen and on paper. I like the way they sound in my head as I think them.

I think about what individual words mean. Words like know, understand, comprehend — I spend time deciding which one to use. Sometimes I go for the musical ones — despicable sounds like a drummer drumming, sincerity sounds a tango is ready to begin.

I keep a Special Categoy, a healing place, for the words that need their meaning back . . . Most have suffered the torture of being locked onto holiday cards. peace, joy, compassion. forgiveness, joy. greetings, good will

Words connect us and with the sound of voices. We use them to seal our pacts. I do. I love you. I promise. All of those are more than words.

I try to wrestle errors down when I am able, but itâ€™s the words and how they fit together that turn me on. . . . I like the way they look on the screen and on paper. I like the way they sound in my head as I think them.

Good Day To You, Liz:
Words are feisty, spirited, primal things when imagination runs wild and free. I’ve never really given that much thought as to why the eloquence of words can cast a spell on unsuspecting readers. I like to think that when used well, that it’s almost has the kind of bountiful energy akin to when we were children in grade school; curious minds that absorb everything around them, then give back to the world irregardless of their inner censor.

Of course nowadays, many adults have forgotten such things and writing becomes a laborious task with many a cobweb to shake. I like to think that we never lose the gift of being a child for awhile, and letting the words flow free before the requisite assemblage of editing into that which will be shared to (one hopes) an thoughtful public.

One of the things I’ve been told is that I’m a very good listener. I’m not perfect; sometimes, I do lapse here and there. But when I become attentive and just be, and allow the person to share and talk, for me there’s an inner thrill to be immerse in the wonder of other’s lives. I’m even shared their innermost thoughts and secrets, which are gifts in of themselves.

As for how this relates to writing, listening to me is an art form best served with love. This, too, is how I envision my writings; for when I’m at my most instinctual, uncensored self, the rational side gives in to my inner child fully.

And the results…well, you’re reading it.

Clearly Liz, your words beckon that of a great listener.

I’m re-reading what I’ve written; that was deep. It’s the moment, you know.

Hi Velanche!
Words are feisty,energetic and ellusive. They flit when we want them to flutter. At times they hide, especially that one right word tha we search for. At times, like refrigerator magnets, they come stuck together in piles that when they quit climging to each other can say something elegant and simply, so somple that it could be profound.

You write like a listener. I hear that in the careful way you choose words. You make each choice with respect to what the words convey. You listen to what you are saying as a reader listens. That’s an art.

The intrepid innkeeper checks in before a weekend of house guests and horses. In my never to be humble opinion, hearing and listening are virtually two different animals. A listener and listening are a gift

mike, thanx for that.. i heard that 🙂 Here in big sky country where I’m hoping the infamous thoroughbred mare Picken is both listenin’ and hearing as we take off for the forest with d.h. and another riding bud.

Do deaf folks have words? Well, let’s look at this way; in reading there are words and imagination gives these flight that draws images within their minds, fleshing them out into all dimensions. And perhaps without all the distraction of the everyday noise that we who can hear have become used to, their words may become even more powerful than they are for us since there is no “dilution” that hearing instills.

I’m sure deaf folks have words, I just don’t know how they would “sound” like. 😉

I once had a young blind women (a librarian actually) tell me that she wasn’t missing anything by not having her sight and that one of the things that bothered her the most was when people felt sorry for her because she had been blind since birth. “What am I missing out on?” She asked. That makes perfect sense to me.

Would a person who was born without hearing feel the same way? I’m a man who had perfect hearing (and a sound engineer at one time) who is now legally deaf and my problem is self perpetuating. Where I would be missing a lot if and when I lost my hearing entirely I know that the person who had been deaf since birth would definitely have the advantage.

Hi Kirk,
The question is whether people born without hearing have the sound of words in their heads. . . . they could not. How could they? It’s impossible for me to imagine, just as for them I figure they cannot imagine the words inside mine.

good food for thought as i rode picken (who’s very much a SHE!) today.. horses can hear but not our language and since they’re mono-vision, unless their head is tipped sideways a bit.. .a rider on back is in their blind spot. Yet we manage to communicate (at least most of the time!)

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